Amgad,
I agree these are all helpful elements to establish for the students what the expectations are for the course. What about the student expectations for you as the instructor, do you share any expectations they should hold you to in the course?
Herbert Brown III
Provide a thorough syllabus and course schedule so
that students have clear expectations.
Provide rubrics, samples of assignments, and specific assignment instructions so that students are aware of the specific formats, requirements, and expectations for submitted work
Muriel,
I assume you also are clear on your grading expectations to your students. I find that I change my expectations almost each semester. After I experience a miscommunication issue with my students, I try to determine if I need to go back and change my expectations to head off those same issues in later semesters.
Herbert Brown III
Omari,
I agree with your comments. It is important to establish both instructor and student expectations. By establishing clear expectations at the beginning of the course, you will head off potential issues of miscommunication later in the course.
Herbert Brown III
Some of the important elements that I share with my students are my late policy and the best dates and times to contact me. Additionally, giving my contact information along with alternate methods to reach me (even weekends) is helpful as well.
~Muriel
I think it is important to say what students can expect from me as their faculty member when it comes to the frequency of email communication, grading assignments, my availability to assist them outside of the classroom. Then, it is important what my expectations are of them as students in the course.
Michael,
I agree that the elements you mention are important. I would also suggest that expectations for you as the instructor are also important for the students to understand your role and what they can expect from you in the course helps as well.
Herbert Brown III
Rebecca,
Providing information about yourself does add a personal touch to the course. It is also important to outline clear expectations in the course for not only the students, but also what the students can expect from you the instructor. If you set clear expectations at the beginning of the course, it can alleviate a lot of problems later in the course.
Herbert Brown III
I believe the important elements of a faculty statement is clarity and conciseness. The learners should not have to assume nor be unclear of what is expected of them. Another important element would be integrity. I believe integrity and honesty goes hand and hand for the online instructor as well as the learners.
It might help to provide the learners with a tidbit of background of yourself and be very clear on the expectations of the course.
Patrick,
Do you find that your on-ground students read the material as you request and come fully prepared? Do you do anything with them to ensure they are meeting those expectations (like pop quizzes or anything) and are you going to do the same for your online students? Do you think that based on the "life" expectations and requirements of many online students that you will be more understanding on submissions and such with online students compared with your on-ground students?
Herbert Brown III
Jeannine,
I would agree these elements are very important to be listed in your expectations. These elements also help set the tone for your "presence" in the course. If the students can reach you within the expectations and receive feedback within the expectations, they will see you as present in the course.
Herbert Brown III
I am teaching my first online class next week and my expectations for my online students would be the same as if they were in one of my brick and mortar classrooms. I would expect them to read the material so they could have a better understanding for themselves. I'd also expect them to write down questions about material that they may not fully understand and then ask those questions to further engage in the learning process. I would also like to know what the learners would expect from me and I would ensure them of my willingness to be their biggest supporter.
I think the important elements of a faculty expectation statement that can help set the appropriate expectations for learners in my online course is be very clear with all communication. Students need to know when you will be available for questions/comments. There needs to be clear boundaries set as to what time students can reach you, when can they expect their assignments to be graded with feedback given. These are just a few expectations, however, important ones.
Jeannine Wieland
Gloria,
These appear to be good expectations. I do appreciate that you explain to the students what they can expect from you, the instructor. I believe it is important for students to understand not only what they have to do, but what their instructor is expected to do as well.
Herbert Brown III
Faculty Expectations should include:
(1) all pertinent methods of communicating with the instructor, including campus email and personal email (if desired) phone numbers and texting information. Include times during the day in which the instructor would likely be available. Include university mandated turn-around time for response.
(2) Hours/days of week when live chat sessions or office hours will take place
(3) What a student can expect during the scheduled chat session
(4)Explain the grading structure
(5) Refer students to location of documents such as APA Reference Guide, Library tours, List of Unacceptable Websites, Late Posting Policy.
During my first live chat, I go over the faculty expectations and also explain what they can expect from me.
Dean ,
Good. I like how you include both expectations for the students and for yourself relative to the course. It really helps to set the positive tone for the course.
Herbert Brown III
Daniel,
I agree that the faster you respond to your students the more the students will feel you are connect and present in the course. However, that can be problematic for the instructor. Is it fair that the instructor should have to be connected 24/7? Establishing clear expectations of when and how you will communicate will allow the instructor to have some time to themselves too.
Herbert Brown III
I post two short lists. One: What I expect of the student every day, week and throughout the course. Two: What they can expect from me every day, week and throughout the course. This doesn't prevent all potential dissonance, but it does allow me to refer the student to it if they are unhappy with what they may feel is too much (or too little) involvement.
Cynthia,
That is true, faculty expectations can be established for you. However, if you have the flexibility you really need to reconsider them and add to them for your specific courses. We need to make sure we consider not only student expectations for the course, but also expectations of what the instructor should do and when.
Herbert Brown III
